FREE NATE Knowledge Questions and Answers 2026
🗨️ Free NATE Knowledge Questions and practice test with questions and answer explanations. Prepare for the 2026 exam with instant scoring.
- Each of the five NATE Certified HVAC Professional (CHP-5) exams contains 30 questions. (North American Technician Excellence)
- The NATE Senior Level Efficiency Analyst exam is an open-book examination containing 100 questions. (North American Technician Excellence)
- Each NATE Certified HVAC Professional (CHP-5) exam has a 60-minute time limit. (North American Technician Excellence)
- The NATE Senior Level Efficiency Analyst exam has a four-hour time limit. (North American Technician Excellence)
- The NATE Senior Level Efficiency Analyst exam requires a passing score of 75%. (North American Technician Excellence)
- NATE requires a score of at least 70% on the Core and installation/service specialty certification exams. (North American Technician Excellence)
- NATE lists a $30 fee for renewing the Certified HVAC Professional (CHP-5) certification using continuing education hours. (North American Technician Excellence)
- NATE directs candidates to the Live Online Proctoring tab of their NATE account for current online exam pricing. (North American Technician Excellence)
- NATE CHP-5 and Traditional pathway certifications require recertification every two years. (North American Technician Excellence)
Facts verified Oct 21, 2026 against North American Technician Excellence. Dates that have passed are removed automatically.
NATE Exam at a Glance
| Item | Detail | Official source |
|---|---|---|
| Number of questions (CHP-5 — each exam) | 30 questions per exam | North American Technician Excellence |
| Number of questions (Senior Level Efficiency Analyst) | 100 questions; open book | North American Technician Excellence |
| Number of questions (Traditional pathway — Core) | 50 questions | North American Technician Excellence |
| Number of questions (Traditional pathway — Specialty) | 100 questions | North American Technician Excellence |
| Time limit (CHP-5 — each exam) | 60 minutes per exam | North American Technician Excellence |
| Time limit (Senior Level Efficiency Analyst) | 240 minutes | North American Technician Excellence |
| Passing score (Senior Level Efficiency Analyst) | 75% | North American Technician Excellence |
| Passing score (Traditional pathway — Core and installation/service specialties) | 70% or higher | North American Technician Excellence |
| Exam fee (CHP-5 — renewal using continuing education) | $30 renewal fee | North American Technician Excellence |
| Exam fee (Live Online Proctoring) | Current prices available in myNATE | North American Technician Excellence |
| Validity (CHP-5 and Traditional pathway) | Two years | North American Technician Excellence |
| Renewal (CHP-5 and Traditional pathway) | 16 continuing education hours plus renewal fee | North American Technician Excellence |
| Delivery | In person or remotely proctored online | North American Technician Excellence |
| Eligibility (Senior Level Efficiency Analyst) | Two qualifying NATE Service specialty certifications | North American Technician Excellence |
| Testing window | On demand through approved testing organizations | North American Technician Excellence |
| Testing window (CHP-5) | Up to six months between exams | North American Technician Excellence |
Facts verified Oct 21, 2026 against North American Technician Excellence. Dates that have passed are removed automatically. Practice with the free NATE - North American Technician Excellence practice test on PracticeTestGeeks (92 questions with answer explanations).
Sample NATE - North American Technician Excellence Practice Questions
Try these questions from our free NATE - North American Technician Excellence practice tests. The correct answer and an explanation follow each question.
What is the purpose of the heat exchanger in a gas furnace?
- A. Mix combustion gases with supply air
- B. Transfer heat from combustion gases to the circulating air without mixing them
- C. Remove moisture from combustion products
- D. Regulate gas pressure to the burners
Answer: B. Transfer heat from combustion gases to the circulating air without mixing them
The heat exchanger keeps combustion products separated from conditioned air while allowing heat transfer through the metal walls.
What is the standard gas manifold pressure for natural gas residential furnaces in the US?
- A. 7–14 inches WC
- B. 3.2–3.8 inches WC
- C. 0.5–1.0 PSI
- D. 10–12 inches WC
Answer: B. 3.2–3.8 inches WC
Natural gas furnace manifold pressure is typically set at 3.2–3.8 inches water column (around 3.5 inches WC nominal).
What does HSPF2 measure for a heat pump?
- A. Cooling efficiency over a season
- B. Heating efficiency measured as total heat output divided by total electrical energy over the heating season
- C. Defrost cycle frequency
- D. Compressor efficiency ratio
Answer: B. Heating efficiency measured as total heat output divided by total electrical energy over the heating season
HSPF2 (Heating Seasonal Performance Factor 2) rates heating efficiency; higher values indicate more efficient heating performance.
On a cooling thermostat, which terminals are energized when the system is calling for cooling?
- A. R and W
- B. R and Y
- C. R and G
- D. R and O
Answer: B. R and Y
During a cooling call, the Y (compressor) terminal is energized along with R (power), activating the compressor contactor.
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- NATE - North American Technician Excellence study guide — topic-by-topic overview of what the exam covers
- NATE - North American Technician Excellence cheat sheet — one-page printable summary for last-minute review
How this page was made: written with AI tools and published by Nathan Beja, founder of Practice Test Geeks, who is responsible for its content. Exam facts are checked against the official sources listed below. Not reviewed by a subject-matter expert. Editorial policy
Sources & references
Exam facts on this page (fees, format, dates, passing scores) are checked against these official sources; the date is our last check. Editorial policy
- natex.org — Fees, renewal, score validity, test delivery, eligibility, passing score, exam format, time limit, test dates · verified Oct 2026